Shaun Johnson is returning to NZ Warriors on a two year deal from 2022, the Kiwi club have confirmed.
The 30-year-old made 162 appearances for the Warriors during his first stint with the club, before leaving for Cronulla Sharks in 2018.
Johnson is the Warriors' all-time leading points scorer, having scored 917 points during his first stint with the club, with 63 tries.
Taking to Twitter on Friday, Johnson described his return to the Warriors as a "dream come true."
"The stars aligned," chief executive Cameron George told Newshub of Johnson's return.
"We were on the lookout for someone of Shaun's calibre. He ticks all the boxes for us as a footy team.
"When we went looking around the market, there wasn't a great deal out there. Shaun was equally the best option for us, the footy team and what we're looking for
"[When] you marry that up with the fact he's got a great association with our club, his heart and soul is still in New Zealand, [and] we can help bring him home and it's just a great deal for the club and our fans."
George adds that Johnson's return will be beneficial for the Warriors' emerging core of players, expected to play a mentoring role for the likes of young half Chanel Harris-Tavita.
"What's happened in the past has happened, that's footy.
"You have to get on with it. Shaun's going to be a great part of our future.
"I'm sure he's going to add a great deal of value to our young kids coming through the system and to our day to day operations at the club - on and off the field.
"He's a great person to have involved in the club, and we're looking forward to having him back home."
Johnson's re-signing comes alongside the capture of fellow New Zealand international Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, while another former Warriors halfback - Chad Townsend - will return to the club for the rest of 2021.
